Lubricating apparatus



'3. woon.

LUBRICATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JANJB, 19'20-v Patented May 2, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l- IMI www'

,fa/emr /4/000' Arron/ver R. WOOD.

L'UBRIATlNG APPARATUS. APPLICATION man 1m28. |920.

1,414,610. Patented. May 2,1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

R. WOD. LUBICATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED 11111.28. 1920.

WIT/VESSES @om ,Arme/v51 l U N T P A T i, EFEQE.

ROBERT WOOD, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YQRK.

LUBarcATrNG Arranarns.

Application led January 28, 1920.: Serial No. 354,629.

T o all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, ROBERT lWooD, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and a resident of 63 Fenimore Street, borough of Brooklyn, county ot Kings, city and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lubricating Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to lubricating apparatus and more especially to lubricating apparatus toA be usedl to supply lubrication to regions vof pressure as for eX- ample to the cylinders of steam engines, air compressors andthelike. f f

The object of the invention is to provide an improved lubricating device, and more particularly a lubricating device adapted to Vsupply lubricant under pressure, and preterably under such conditions that the flow of lubricant can be automatically controlled in accordance with the requirements of use.

The principle of the invention will best be understood `from a description of particularV apparatus constructed in accorda-nce with and embodying the invention. For the purposes oit this specification l have illustra'ted in the accompanying' drawings forming a part hereof, apparatus designed to feed lubricant to the cylinder and -valve mechanism of a steam engine. y The apparatus shown is so designed that it may be connected tothe cylinder ot steam engine in such manner that theefluctuations of pressure in the cylinder will operate to open and close a valveiwhich controls the flow of lubricant. When the engine is still the valve remains closed. Lubricant will thus be ted only while the engine is running.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a central longitudinal sectional view taken on the 'line 1-1 Fig. 2 ot' a lubricating device constructed in accordance with the invention. I

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2 9 Fig.Y 1; f Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the device. A Fig. t is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figs. 1 and 3. y

Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal section view of another embodimentfot the invention;V and e Fig. 6 is an end elevation partly in transversel section taken on the line 6-'36 of Fig. 5, y f

ered.

In the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, the casing 5 is formed to provide a lubricant supply 'chamber 6 having oneor more outlet passages 7, 7, which in use are connected by suitable pipes to the several points at which oil vor other lubricant is to be deliv- VVhen the lubricant is to be introducedl into the steam supply pipe of a steam engine (or into any region at which pressure is maintained), it is desirable that an appropriate pressure be applied within the lubricant chamber to overcome the eitect of the back pressure in the lubricant delivery pipes. This can conveniently be done by connecting the. inlet 8 with a source of live steam denser chamber 9, connected at its bottom by a passage 10 with the inlet 8 of the lubricant chamber to permit flow otcondensed steam into said lubricant chamber. Atthe t-op of the condenser chamber an inlet 11 is provided for connection with the boiler or other source lof livesteam. A passage '12 termed in the casing leads trom a relatively high point of the condenser chamber down along the side 'of the lubricant chamber and connects with the lubricant outlet passages 7, 7 through an intersecting bore 13.

The outlets 7., 7 lead from the lubricant chamber at a relatively high point so that as the .condensed steam gradually iills the chamber displacing the lubricant upwardly,

ka supply of lubricant will be maintained about said outlets. These outlets may be formed as shown by upstanding vertical' tubes inthe center of the casing.

The water inlet 8 is controlled by a one way check valve 14 of usual construction arranged to'permit flow onlyr into the lubricant chamber; 0n the forward stroke ot the ram this valve automatically closes.

2 l r 1,4141o and from a position coinciding with the out- -ing outlet.

Y desirable.

letl passages during reciprocation. TheY reciprocating plunger operates also to increase and decrease the pressure in theV chamber, acting as a force pump, and thus constitutes a force pump feature of the invention. The arrangement of the grooves 17 is such that y .the discharge of lubricant occ-urs during the Y --period of increased pressure in the chamber V"while the combined valve member and plunger is at or nearits innermost position. The width and depth of each ofthe grooves V17 will be determined by the amount of lubricant to be fed through the correspond- Obviously'the different grooves of the plunger may differ in width and depth to provide for a feed of different amounts of lubricant to different .parts if necessary or In the construction illustrated in the drawings the arrangement is such that the outlet' .passages are closed when the plunger is in its eXtreme innermost position andthe'grooves 17 register with the outlets' passages to permit flow of lubricant, only while the plunger or valve is approaching and leaving such eXtreme position. This arrangement is preferred for the reason that the valve isthus not likely to stop in open position and thereby permit complete discharge of the lubricant. Obviously this arrangement may be altered to suit the require- Y ments of use under varying conditions, as

Vfor example. to provide a constant `feed through one of the outlets. Y Y .The combined Vvalve member and lplunger may vbe operatedby any suitable means.

vl/"Vhen the deviceis connected to supply lubricant to an engine cylinder it is preferably operated automatically in synchronism with the engine piston. Y VThis may conveniently be done, for instance, by a pressure connection. As shown, the Vouter end of the bore (at the right in Fig. 1) isenlarged to provide, in effect, a' cylinder 18. A pis-V l yton 19, slidably mounted in this cylinder is connected to actuate the plunger 15. The

area of the end of this-piston is substanltially greater than the area of theinner end of the plunge-r so that the' pressure upon the piston overcomes the pressure in the lubricant chamber acting against the inner end of the plunger. A small vent 22 is pro- .vided to permit the escape of any condensed steam or oil which may collect in the cylinder 18. As shown the piston 19 is bored at its inner end to receive lthe headed end 20 of the plunger. -The .pressure within the 4lubricant chamber will act to return the plunger to its outermostposition when the pressure on the piston is released but'I Lprefer toprovide a spring 21 compressed between the head 2O and an opposite shoulder 23 .of the casing to insure return movement f and improve the operation of the valve. A

groeve 2A; in the piston provides a water seal between the piston and cylinder wall. The piston 19 is shown as provided with a tapped hole 25 at its outer end to facilitate removal for cleaning or repair. At its outer end the cylinder is provided with a suitable union 26 and tail piece 27 to aord pipe connection with the engine cylinder or other region of fluctuating pressure in order that the piston may be suitably operated.`

I prefer to provide means tov insure a vfree flow of the lubricant from the device to the parts' to be lubricated. `This is accomplished by admitting steam to thelubricant Y conveying ducts at a suitable point. Y ln-'the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4 steam is admitted to the outlets 7 through the lpassage 12 and bore 13. The steam thusl admitted heats theV lubricant conduitsl Aand 'maintains the lubricant in a" freeuflowing condition.

bore 13 and through the outlet passagesfr and pipes connected therewith.-

y It is onev of the features ofthe invention that the apparatus is maintained in heated condition at or near'the'temperature ofthe steam by the live steam Vand hot water ofcondensation which is always pres'ent'in the y condenser chamber and connecting passages.

One of the advantages of this artificial heating is the uniformity of .operation ofthe device under different weather conditions.

In order to relieve and equalize the strains in operation and otherwise to improve the operation of the apparatus,- I provide.. eX- pansion pockets 28 at the top of the lubricant chamber so arranged Vthat they Awill serve as air cushions when the chamber is filled with lubricant.

The illing'opening 30 is separated'V from the adjacent air pocket 28 by a depending ange 31 to insure the trapping of air when the lubricant chamber is tillefA suitable plug 32 closes the `lilling opening. A plugged opening 33 is'shown inl line with the plunger to facilitate boring of the .slideway and assembling of the plunger. shown the plug 34 which closes the opening 33 vis provided with' a recess 35 into which the end of the plunger extends when in its projectedV position thus providing necessary AsV clearance. A drain plug 36 is provided yat the lowest point of the ylubricant (chambers to permlt the lubricant or water to be stops the feed of lubricant stops;- In operation, steam will be vconstantly condensing and mixingwitlithe lubricant or settling by gravity down through the lubricant and will be fed therewith. The mixture of lubricant'and water las fedis probably in the nature of an emulsion due to the manner of condensation and the vjar of the engine. A constant temperature is maintained under all weather conditions due to the presence of the steam thus insuring uniformity of action under varying conditions.

It will be obvious that the present invention provides a radical departure from the prior art by providing a novel combination of the desirable features of two different types of lubrication, the hydrostatic and ythe force feedlubricators. rEhe device is simple in construction and operation with few parts while providing a positive feed and.

Fids. Y5 and 6.

arious changes lin the specific forms shown and described may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention as defined in the claims.

l claim: l. A lubricating devicel of the character described, comprising a casing formed with a lubricant chamber, a plunger chamber inY permanent communication at one end with said lubricant chamber, an outlet leading from said lubricant chamber across the plunger chamber, a plungel1 movable in said plunger chamber to increase or decrease the pressure within the lubricant chamber, said plunger also acting as a valve controlling said outlet. f

2. A lubricating device of the character described comprising a casing formed with a lubricant chamber, a plunger chamber in permanent communication at one end with said lubricant chamber, an outlet leading from said lubricant chamber', a plunger movable in said plunger chamber to increase or decrease the pressure within the lubricant chamber, said plunger alsoacting as av valve controlling said outlet.

3. A lubricating device of the character described comprising a casing formed with a lubricant chamber, a plunger chamber in permanent communication at one end with said lubricant chamber, an outlet leading from saidv lubricant chamber, means connected with said lubricant chamberto supply thereto a fluid medium under pressure,

valso acting as a valve controlling said outlet.

ll.y A lubricating device of the character described comprising a casing formed; with a lubricant chamber` having a lubricant outf let, means connected Vwith said Vlubricant chamber to supply thereto a fluid medium under pressure, and a solid member movable to exert additional pressure on the lubricant contained in said chamber.

5. A lubricating device of the character described, comprising a casing formed with a lubricant chamber having a lubricant outlet, means connected with said lubricant chamber to supply thereto a lfluid medium under pressure, and a member movable to increase or decrease the effective volumewof the lubricant chamberfand thereby decrease or increase respectivelythe pressure within said chamber. i l

6. A lubricating device comprising a casing having a lubricant chamber with an outlet therefrom, and a combined valve and plunger in the casing which alone controls said outlet and which is operative to causef an increase of pressure in thechamber when the outlet is open. v 'j `7. A lubricating device having a lubricant supply chamber with an outlet therefrom, a

combined valve and plunger in the casing t,

controlling said outlet, a piston associated with said combined valve and plunger, connections by which fluid under pressure can be admitted against said piston whereby as pressure is applied against said piston the plunger will be shifted vto open the outlet and substantially simultaneously thel pressure in the lubricant chamber will be increased by the plunger. y

S. A lubricating device of the character described comprising al casing having a lubricant chamber or reservoir with an outlet 'adapted to be connected with a part to be lubricated and an inlet adapted to receive fluid under rpressure arrangedto be connected to a region of fluctuating` pressure, a valve and plunger movably mounted in said casing constructed and arranged toopen'and close said outlet and operative to cause an increase of pressure insaid lchamber for the discharge oflubricant throughv said outlet.

9. A lubricating device for steam engines comprising a casing` having a lubricant chamber provided with a plurality .of outlets and a slideway adjacent vto said outlets,

a plunger slidable in said slideway and operating in said chamber, to increase the pressure in the chamber from the normal Vworking pressure of the chamber to a predeter- Adrained Afrom the chamber when necessar'y.

I prefer to provide nozzles in the outlets 7, Tat the point of intersection ivith the bore 13, so constructed and arranged that they Will act someivhat lafter vthe manner of an injector to create a suction to VdranI vthe lubricant down the outlet passages and eX- vpel it with greater velocity along through the conducting pipes. As lshown nipples 37 "are provided With extensions 38 at their up-Y per ends which extend across the bore 'i3 and intorecesses surrounding the outlet passages 7. The bore of the nipple thus forms in effect a continuation of the passage 7.

`Small holes 40 extend from the shoulder of the nipple diagonally into the central bore. In operation steam passes through these diagonal passages and through the bore creating a 'suction which aids the effect of the force pump action of the plunger. These 'nipples or nozzles also serve to' `lead the lubricant downwardly across the bore 13 and prevent its flowing 'alongthe bore. c

The apparatus shown inFigs. 5 and 6 is generally similar to that shown 'in Figs. `l to 4 but it is modified to provide for the introduction of live steam, or a non-condensing fluid, instead of condensed steam, into the lubricant'supply chamber. It comprises a casing 45 having alubricant chamber 46 With one or more outlets v47.' A combined valve and plunger `48 generally similar to that shovvn in'Figs. l to 4 controls the lubricant outlet passages. rI lhe plunger is actuated by a piston 49 reciprocably mounted in a cylinder '50. The outlets 47 open into the lower portion of the lubricant chamber instead of into the upper portion for the reason that in this apparatus the level of the lubricant gradually lovvers in use instead of being maintained at the top of the casing as in the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 4 and for the reason that there is not theaccumulation of Water that is found yin the apparatus of Figs. 1 to 4.

ythe apparatus shownin Figs. 1 to 4. As

shoWn,'a' passage 5l at the end of the casing enters the vchamber 46 at the top thereof Vand is connected with the cylinder 50.

The piston 49 which, sofar as its relation tothe plunger is concerned, is similar to the piston of Figs. 1 to 4 is formed to act as a valve to control the flow of steam vthrough the passage 5l to the lubricant chamber. As shown vin Fig. 5 the piston and cylinder Walls are annularly recessed as indicated at 53 and 54 to provide a steam passage. Passages 55 through thepiston permit flciv of steam from behind the steam piston to the annular steam passage.

The admission of steam oru other fluid through the passages 55 in the Ypiston and along the piston into the lubricant chamber may be" relied upon to provide the necessary pressure in the lubricant chamber if the sizes of the various passages and the timing ofthe piston valve are properly adjusted. I prefer7 however., 'to provide'a separate connection, as for instance from the steam boiler which shall better insure the main-V tainance of pressure in the lubricant chamber. As shown in Fig. 5 such a. connection is indicated at 56. This connection provides for the admission of live steam around the piston so that as the piston is in its-forward position (toward the left in Fig. 5) steam Will enter the lubricant chamber through the passage 51. The connection 56 renders-the passages- 55y through the piston yunnecessary but they are preferably provided to permit a slight flowof steam therethrough for circulation; rIhese passages 55v should be made very smallivhen'the connec- .tion 56 is provided to prevent too great a flow of'steam therethrough.' Y y Means for insuring free flovv `of the lubricant in the conduits is preferably provided as in the construction first described. shown a bore 57 intersects the several lubricant outlet passages and connects with the i inlet 56. An excess of steam is thusV constantly supplied. i Nozzle outlet nipples 58 similar to the 'ni )ples 37 are rovided for l i P the same purpose as in the first described construction.

, An expansion pocket is provi'ded'at the. top of the lubricant chamber by so arrang-V ing the filling opening that the chamber cannot be entirely filled with lubricant. As

shown, a defendingflange 59 is provided around the filling opening 60 for this pur pose. A plug 6l closes the filling opening.

In the operation of the apparatus when used to lubricate the cylinder of a steam engine.) live steam is supplied Vto the cylinder 'te actuate the pSOll @was for example trolled by the engine and When the enginev By this ar- Y y lto the engine speed.

' mined maximum' during its movement in one direction andy to reduce the pressureA again to such normal Working pressure during its movement in the opposite direction.- i

Vl0. A lubricating device comprising a casing having a lubricant supply chamber with an inlet adapted to be connectedl With a increase and decrease of pressure therein associated with the opening and closing of the outlet.

1l. v A 'lubricating' device comprising a casing having a lubricant chamber With an in# let. arranged to be connected to a source or' liquid under pressure, a valve having a portion constituting a plunger movable in the ing an air trap 'and having an outlet, a valve member having a portion constituting a plunger operative to open and close said outlet and to increase and decrease the pressure in said chamber, wherebyV a discharge at in-v creased pressure is caused.

13. A lubricating device of they character described comprising a casin'ghaving a lubricantY supply chamber With an inlet adapt ed to be connected with a source of fluid under pressure, and having av lubrication outlet a valve member controlling said outlet and having a portion constituting a plunger arranged to cause yan increase of pressure in the chamber substantially simultaneously With the opening of the outlet and means for connecting said valve member to an engine cylinder, to be operated by the fluctuation of pressure in said cylinderwhereby the feed of lubricant Will .be proportionate ,14. A lubricating device of the character described comprising a casing having a lubricant supply chamber with an inletadapted tobe connected to admit fluid under pressure l to said chamber and having an outlet adapted to be connected to a part to be lubricated, a valve member controlling the outlet to open and close the same and having a plunger forming a rigid part thereof arranged to cause the lubricant to be discharged at an increased pressure when the outlet is open.

15. A lubricating device of the character described comprising a casing having a lubricant supply chamber having an outlet and an inlet, a valve `arranged to open and close said outlet and having a portion constituting a 'plunger adapted to cause'an increase andy decrease of pressure in said chamber substantially simultaneously with the opening and closing 'ot theV outlet and means under control oit .a iuctuating pressure actuating y said valve. p Y

16. A lubricating` dev-ice of the character described comprising a Vcasing-formed With a lubricant chamber, 'a condenser chamber communicating therewith andk a plunger chamber in permanent communication at one end With said lubricant chamber, an outlet leading-'from said lubricant chamber, a plunger movable in said plunger chamber to in# crease and decrease theypressure ivithinthe lubricant chamber, said plunger also acting as a valvecontrolling saidy outlet, al steam passage connecting the top portion of said condenser chamber to said outlet passage at a point beyond the plunger.

,17. A lubricating device of the character described comprising a casing formed With la lubricant chamber having a lubricant outlety and a condenser chamber in communication therewith, means connecting said condenser chamber to supply thereto a fluid mediumunder pressure, a one Way valve controlling the communicating passage between the condenserl and lubricant chamber arranged to permit flovv from the condenser chamber tothe lubricant chamber only and a member movable to increase or decrease the eective volume of the lubricant chamber and thereby to decrease or increase respectively thefpressure Within said chamber.

18. A lubricating device comprising a casing having a lubricant chamber with an outlet therefrom, a combined valve and plunger in the casing to control said outlet and operative to apply pressure inthe chamber, ,a connection for conducting lubricant from said outlet and means for introducing steam into said connection to aid the flow of lubricant through said connection.

' 19. The lubricating device comprising a casing having a lubricant chamber With .an outlet therefrom, a combined valve and plunger in the casing to control said outlet andy operative to apply pressure in the chamber, an ejector nozzle connected with said outlet and connections orsupplying steam to said ejector nozzle to create a suction to draw lubricant 'from-said outlet and to expel it with greater velocity. n

20. 4A lubricating device comprising a casing having a lubricant chamber With an inlet for a fluid medium under pressure and ,a lubricant outlet, means comprising a plunger arranged to control said inlet and said outlet operative to admit iluid medium unsaid outlet is open, said plunger having connections foroperation from a region of `Vfluctuating pressure, substantially as and for the purpose described and having connection for operation from a region of fluctuating pressure.

' chamber having outlets, a plunger fand valve mechanism for automatically'l controlling said outlets and causing periodically an increase of pressure in said chamber and means for supplying Water under pressure to said lubricant chamber. I

Y22., A lubricating` device of the character described having in combination a lubricant chamber having an inlet and outlets, a plunger and valve mechanism for automatically controlling said outlets and causing periodically an increase of pressure in said chamber, means `for supplying Water under presmy hand.

sure to saidlubricant chamber and means for sealing said inlet duringthe periodical increaseof pressure, whereby lubricant ,isfeX-f,

. 25 device of the character A 'controlling said outlets andcausing periodically increase and decrease of pressure Vin Y said chamber means for su l in Water under pressure. to said lubricant chamber during the decrease opressure andmeans` 'for sealing said inlet during the increase ot pressure whereby lubricant is expelled'underpressure during vthe period of increased A pressure and Water is admitted during the period of decreased pressure.

In testimony whereofv I have ROBERT Woon. u

hereunto set 

